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The Best Sports Streaming Services
The best sports streaming services in 2025 balance strong national coverage (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC; ESPN/FS1; TNT/TBS where applicable) with access to local broadcast stations and, when possible, regional sports networks (RSNs). Because marquee rights are fragmented, most fans now pair one primary live-TV bundle with 1–2 league or network apps: for example, NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV/YouTube, Thursday Night Football on Prime Video, MLS on Apple’s MLS Season Pass, and Premier League/Big Ten/SNF on Peacock. For RSNs, availability differs by provider and ZIP code: DIRECTV STREAM generally offers the broadest RSN coverage (including Bally Sports in applicable markets), while Fubo carries many non‑Bally RSNs. If you don’t need RSNs, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV deliver broad national sports lineups.
The 3 Best Sports Streaming Services
- YouTube TV – Best overall for most fans (broad national coverage; optional NFL Sunday Ticket)
- Fubo TV – Best for soccer and many RSNs (no Bally Sports)
- Sling TV – Best budget path to ESPN/FS1; pair with antenna and league apps
The Best Sports Streaming Services: Summed Up
| YouTube TV | Fubo TV | Sling | |
| Best overall for most fans | Best for RSNs (non‑Bally) and soccer | Best budget for ESPN/FS1 | |
| Recommended sports package | Base plan; confirm current price and locals by ZIP (check here) | Pro/Elite with RSNs where available; regional sports fees may apply (see lineup) | Orange, Blue, or Orange + Blue; combine for broader coverage (see lineup) |
| Total sports Channels* | Robust national sports (ESPN/FS1 + college nets); locals in most markets (verify) | Very deep sports selection incl. many RSNs (no Bally Sports); varies by ZIP (verify) | Core ESPN (Orange) or FOX/FS1 (Blue); limited locals (verify) |
| Total sports Channels with add-ons* | Add-ons available; NFL Sunday Ticket offered via YouTube/YouTube TV (details) | Sports Plus, international packs; RSN fees may apply by market (see options) | Sports Extra add-on expands leagues and college nets (see options) |
| Cloud DVR Storage | Unlimited DVR included (see plan details) | Cloud DVR included; upgrade options available | Cloud DVR available; capacity varies by plan |
| Simultaneous Streams | 3; unlimited at home with 4K Plus (source) | Varies by plan; verify limits before subscribing | Orange=1, Blue=3, Orange+Blue up to 4 (channel exceptions) (source) |
| Free trial | Promotions change; check provider | Promotions change; check provider | Promotions change; check provider |
| Add-on sports packages | NFL Sunday Ticket add-on available (learn more) | Sports Plus, International Sports Plus, and more; RSN fees in select markets (details) | Sports Extra add-on; consider pairing with Peacock, Paramount+, or Prime Video for exclusives |
*Not including RSNs or add-on packages
YouTube TV
Pros
All the national games
Strong offering of regional sports networks
Free unlimited cloud DVR storage
Three simultaneous streams
Cons
Missing NFL and NHL Network
Limited offering of soccer channels
Why we chose it
All the national games
YouTube TV carries local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC stations in most markets and includes core national sports networks (ESPN/ESPN2, FS1/FS2, and college conference networks). For NFL fans, YouTube offers NFL Sunday Ticket as an optional add-on, keeping it a premier anchor for out-of-market Sunday afternoon games. Expect to pair it with league/network apps for exclusives like Thursday Night Football on Prime Video, MLS on Apple’s MLS Season Pass, and Premier League/Big Ten/SNF simulcasts on Peacock.
Strong offering of regional sports networks
YouTube TV prioritizes locals and national sports channels; its RSN footprint is limited compared with RSN-centric providers. It does not carry Bally Sports, YES Network, MSG Networks, NESN, ROOT Sports Northwest, or Altitude, but it does carry NBC Sports regional networks in the markets where they operate. Always verify channels by ZIP on the YouTube TV channel list and confirm RSN availability directly with the RSN or provider.
Unlimited cloud DVR storage
YouTube TV includes cloud DVR with unlimited storage for recordings, making it easy to save entire seasons and skip commercials when you catch up. This complements its role as a primary bundle for households that follow multiple leagues.
Three simultaneous streams
The Base Plan allows three simultaneous streams; adding the 4K Plus upgrade unlocks unlimited streams at home (plus three on the go). See YouTube TV’s concurrency details here.
Points to consider
Missing NFL and NHL Network
Key games increasingly stream outside any live-TV bundle. Out-of-market Sunday afternoon NFL games require the NFL Sunday Ticket add-on; Thursday Night Football is exclusive to Prime Video; many Premier League and select Big Ten/Notre Dame games plus SNF simulcasts appear on Peacock; MLS is on MLS Season Pass. For any specific cable channel (e.g., NFL Network, NHL Network), check YouTube TV’s current channel list before subscribing.
Limited offering of soccer channels
YouTube TV isn’t a one-stop shop for global soccer. Premier League coverage is heavily on Peacock, and all MLS matches are on MLS Season Pass. Consider pairing league apps with your bundle for complete coverage.
FuboTV
Pros
10 soccer channels
Strong offering of regional sports networks
30 hours of free cloud DVR storage
Sports in 4K
Cons
Only two simultaneous streams
Missing ESPN and ABC
Why we chose it
10 soccer channels
Fubo has a deep sports-first lineup that’s especially strong for soccer and international sports, alongside U.S. leagues on ESPN and FOX. If you’re soccer‑centric, it complements league apps well (for example, add Peacock for extensive Premier League coverage and rely on MLS Season Pass for MLS). Verify your exact channel mix by ZIP on Fubo’s channel lineup.
Strong offering of regional sports networks
Fubo is among the best for RSNs, typically including NBC Sports regionals and networks like YES, MSG, NESN, ROOT Sports Northwest, Altitude, and SportsNet Pittsburgh where available. It does not carry Bally Sports RSNs. Availability and any regional sports fees vary by market, so check your ZIP on Fubo and confirm RSN coverage on the network’s “how to watch” page where applicable.
Note: Regular-season MLS now streams on MLS Season Pass, independent of RSN carriage.
30 hours of free cloud DVR storage
Fubo plans include cloud DVR with options to upgrade storage. This makes it straightforward to record live matches across leagues and keep content according to your plan’s limits. See Fubo’s plan details for current DVR terms.
Sports in 4K
Fubo streams select events in 4K on compatible devices. 4K HDR is now mainstream for premium live sports, and picture quality continues to improve as platforms adopt newer codecs and delivery tech.
Points to consider
Only two simultaneous streams
Concurrent stream limits vary by plan and add-ons. Larger households should confirm the streams included with their chosen Fubo tier before subscribing.
Missing ESPN and ABC
Fubo includes ESPN and ABC on current plans, but may lack certain Turner networks (TNT/TBS) in some periods, which affects NBA, NHL, and NCAA March Madness windows carried by those channels. RSN coverage varies by ZIP, and Fubo does not carry Bally Sports. Verify your lineup and any regional sports fees before subscribing via Fubo’s channel list.
Sling
Pros
Inexpensive packages
Cheap sports add-on
Plenty of regional sports networks
Cons
Missing ABC and CBS
No free DVR storage
Limited simultaneous streaming
Why we chose it
Inexpensive packages
Sling remains the lowest-cost way to get core national sports channels: Sling Orange includes ESPN/ESPN2, while Sling Blue offers FOX/FS1 in select markets. Price-conscious fans often combine Orange + Blue to cover more events for less than most comprehensive bundles. See the current Sling channel lineup.
Cheap sports add-on
With the Sports Extra add-on, you can add league and college networks (e.g., NBA TV, MLB Network, NHL Network, SEC Network, ACC Network). This à la carte approach lets you assemble just the channels you care about. Details: Sling channel lineup.
Plenty of regional sports networks
Sling does not carry RSNs like Bally Sports, YES, MSG, NESN, ROOT Sports, or Altitude. If in‑market MLB/NBA/NHL games are your top priority, consider an RSN‑focused provider such as DIRECTV STREAM (Bally included in many markets) or Fubo (many non‑Bally RSNs).
Points to consider
Missing ABC and CBS
Sling carries fewer local broadcast stations than most competitors. To fill gaps, pair Sling with an over‑the‑air antenna for ABC/CBS/FOX/NBC in HD, and add apps where needed (for example, Peacock for NBC sports and Paramount+ for CBS simulcasts). Note: Locast.org is no longer available.
An over‑the‑air antenna remains the simplest companion to Sling for locals. Paramount+ replaces the legacy “CBS All Access” branding and offers CBS sports simulcasts in many markets.
No free DVR storage
Sling includes a modest amount of cloud DVR with options to expand for an additional fee. If you plan to record a lot of live sports, factor potential DVR upgrades into your budget.
Limited simultaneous streaming
Simultaneous streams depend on your plan: Sling Orange allows 1, Sling Blue allows up to 3, and Orange + Blue allows up to 4 streams, with certain channel exceptions. See Sling’s stream policy here.
How We Chose the Best Sports Streaming Services
The Streaming Services We Tested
- Hulu + Live TV
- Sling
- Youtube TV
- DIRECTV STREAM
- Fubo
Month-to-month contracts
One of the biggest appeals of live TV streaming is that you’re not locked into a long contract. All of the services we highlight here offer monthly billing, and you can stop at any time without early termination fees. Promotions change frequently, so confirm current offers and any RSN fees on the provider’s plan page.
National games
We prioritized bundles that carry key national windows across ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC plus sports‑heavy cable networks. Because exclusives now live on separate apps, many fans will add: NFL Sunday Ticket for out‑of‑market NFL Sundays, Prime Video for Thursday Night Football, MLS Season Pass for MLS, and Peacock for Premier League, Sunday Night Football simulcasts, and select Big Ten/Notre Dame games.
Regional sports networks
RSNs carry in‑market MLB, NBA, and NHL games and remain the toughest part of cord‑cutting. In 2025, DIRECTV STREAM has the broadest RSN coverage and is the only live‑TV streamer that carries Bally Sports. Fubo carries many non‑Bally RSNs (YES, MSG, NESN, ROOT Sports NW, Altitude, SportsNet Pittsburgh) but not Bally Sports. YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV focus on national sports and locals and carry some NBC Sports regionals in their markets. Always verify by ZIP and check for any regional sports fees.
| Bally Sports | |||||
| NBC Sports | |||||
| NESN | |||||
| MSG | |||||
| YES |
*Not available in all markets
Extra perks
Beyond channel coverage, we weigh features that improve the experience: cloud DVR, 4K events and multiview where available, and strong simultaneous streaming. For tech quality, leading platforms are adopting newer codecs and delivery standards that enable sharper pictures at lower bitrates and lower latency. Examples: AV1 hardware decode is now common on new devices (e.g., Apple’s A17 Pro and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) (Apple) (Qualcomm); Low‑Latency HLS with CMAF can get live latency into the 2–5 second range when implemented end-to-end (Apple HLS spec) (AWS); and enabling HTTP/3/QUIC can improve startup and resilience on variable networks. Platforms also lean on perceptual metrics like VMAF/HDR‑VMAF to optimize picture quality, especially for fast‑motion sports.
Guide to Live Sports Streaming
How to watch live sports without a cable subscription
Explore current promotions
It’s a good time to sign up for a streaming service. Companies compete hard around major sports seasons and offer rotating deals. Sling, for example, is offering free equipment, and many bundles run seasonal promotions or short trials. Always confirm current pricing, any regional sports fees, and add-on costs on the provider’s site.
Connect to your TV
To watch live sports, you’ll need a solid internet connection plus a compatible device. Most newer smart TVs and streaming devices support modern codecs and HDR formats, but capabilities vary. For the best results: use a wired Ethernet connection when possible; ensure your device supports efficient codecs like AV1/HEVC (many recent phones and TVs do — see hardware decode on A17 Pro and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3); and look for apps that implement Low‑Latency HLS for faster live reactions (HLS). Enabling HTTP/3 on your network and using up‑to‑date devices also improves startup and stability.
Sports Streaming FAQ
What is a regional sports network (RSN)?
RSNs are channels that carry in‑market regular‑season games for MLB, NBA, and NHL clubs. In 2025, access varies by provider and market. DIRECTV STREAM offers the broadest RSN coverage and uniquely carries Bally Sports among live‑TV streamers; Fubo carries many non‑Bally RSNs; YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV cover national sports and some NBC Sports regionals. Many RSNs and teams also sell direct‑to‑consumer subscriptions in‑market; availability and pricing are listed on their official “how to watch” pages and independent trackers like The Streamable’s RSN guide.
Which streaming service offers the most NFL coverage?
No single app carries every NFL game. For the broadest coverage, use a primary bundle with strong locals and ESPN (YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV are common anchors), add NFL Sunday Ticket for out‑of‑market Sunday afternoons, add Prime Video for Thursdays, and use Peacock for Sunday Night Football simulcasts (plus select Big Ten/Notre Dame games). An over‑the‑air antenna can also ensure reliable access to your local FOX and CBS stations.
Which sports streaming service covers the most sports?
It depends on your priorities. If in‑market MLB/NBA/NHL via RSNs is critical, choose DIRECTV STREAM (best overall RSN coverage, including Bally Sports) or Fubo (strong RSN runner‑up without Bally). If you don’t need RSNs, YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV provide broad national coverage. Expect to pair with league/network apps when needed — for example, Peacock (Premier League and NBC windows), Paramount+ (UEFA on CBS), MLS Season Pass (MLS), or Max’s B/R Sports when available for Turner‑carried NBA/NHL/March Madness games.
How can I improve streaming quality?
Buffers, pauses, and blurry images usually indicate network or device constraints. For smoother sports streaming:
- Upgrade your router
- Keep your router in a good location and away from clutter
- Turn off competing devices
- Limit the number of tasks on your network (ie: close or exit any background programs you’re not using)
- If able, use an ethernet connection instead of WiFi
On capable devices, services increasingly use AV1/HEVC for higher quality at lower bitrates and Low‑Latency HLS to shrink live delay. Ensure your apps and devices are up to date; devices with hardware AV1 decode (e.g., A17 Pro, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) handle UHD/HDR more efficiently. Where available, enabling HTTP/3 can improve startup and resilience. If issues persist, consider a higher‑speed plan from your internet service provider.
